Architecture for communicating with one or more electronic devices through a gateway computer

ABSTRACT

An architecture is disclosed for facilitating communications with one or more embedded devices from a client application. The architecture includes gateway software and server software. The gateway software includes device communications software for sending and receiving device messages to and from the one or more embedded devices and gateway communications software for sending and receiving communications to other software. The server software includes user interface software that is downloadable by the client application for use to communicate with the server software. The server software also includes serving software for responding to requests received from the client application through the user interface software. The server software also includes gateway communications software for sending and receiving communications to the gateway software. The architecture operates such that the server software communicates with the gateway software and the gateway software communicates with the one or more embedded devices. The server software sends a user interface component to the client application, and the client application uses the user interface component to communicate with an embedded device by sending communications to the server software. The server software facilitates communications with the embedded device through the gateway software.

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER

[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates generally to computer technology, and is more particularly directed toward systems and methods for communicating with embedded devices through a gateway.

BACKGROUND

[0003] In recent years there has been a great increase in the amount of computer technology that is involved in daily life. In today's world, computer technology is involved in many aspects of a person's day. Many devices being used today by consumers have a small computer inside of the device. These small computers come in varying sizes and degrees of sophistication. These small computers include everything from one microcontroller to a fully-functional complete computer system. For example, these small computers may be a one-chip computer, such as a microcontroller, a one-board type of computer, such as a controller, a typical desktop computer, such as an IBM-PC compatible, etc.

[0004] The small computers, (which can be rather large computers depending on the particular need which is being met by the computer), almost always have one or more processors at the heart of the computer. The processor(s) usually are interconnected to different external inputs and outputs and function to manage the particular device. For example, a processor in a vending machine for soda pop may be connected to the buttons used to select the pop, to the switch that allows a pop to drop down to a user, and to lights to indicate that the machine does not have any more pop of a particular variety.

[0005] Computer technology is involved in many aspects of daily life. Many appliances, devices, etc., include one or more small computers. For example, refrigerators, telephones, typewriters, automobiles, vending machines, and many different types of industrial equipment usually have small computers, or processors, inside of them. Computer software runs the processors of these computers and tells the processors what to do to carry out certain tasks. For example, the computer software running on a processor in a vending machine may cause a soda pop to drop to a user when the correct change has been entered by a user.

[0006] These types of small computers that are a part of a device, appliance, tool, etc., are often referred to as embedded systems. The term “embedded system” usually refers to computer hardware and software that is part of a larger system. Embedded systems usually do not have typical input and output devices such as a keyboard, mouse, and/or monitor. Usually, at the heart of each embedded system is one or more processor(s).

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for communicating with embedded devices through a gateway.

[0008] An architecture is disclosed for facilitating communications with one or more embedded devices from a client application. The architecture includes gateway software and server software. The gateway software includes device communications software for sending and receiving device messages to and from the one or more embedded devices and gateway communications software for sending and receiving communications to other software. The server software includes user interface software that is downloadable by the client application for use to communicate with the server software. The server software also includes serving software for responding to requests received from the client application through the user interface software. The server software also includes gateway communications software for sending and receiving communications to the gateway software. The architecture operates such that the server software communicates with the gateway software and the gateway software communicates with the one or more embedded devices. The server software sends a user interface component to the client application, and the client application uses the user interface component to communicate with an embedded device by sending communications to the server software. The server software facilitates communications with the embedded device through the gateway software.

[0009] In embodiments herein, the server software may include a web server. The user interface may comprise instructions written in HTML, HDML, WML, and the like. In addition, the user interface software may include a Java applet. The serving software may include a Java servlet.

[0010] The architecture may utilize a gateway computer in electronic communication with the one or more embedded devices. In addition, there may be a server computer in electronic communication with the gateway computer and also in electronic communication with a computer network for communications with a client device.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the gateway software and the server software may be running on the same computer. As a result, a gateway server computer may be used to communicate with the one or more embedded devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The foregoing and other objects and features of the present embodiments will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of the invention's scope, the embodiments will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of hardware components included in an embodiment;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of hardware components included in an embodiment;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of hardware components included in an embodiment;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of hardware components included in an embodiment;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of hardware components included in an embodiment;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a block diagram of hardware components included in an embodiment;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a block diagram of hardware components included in an embodiment;

[0020]FIG. 8 is a block diagram of software components included in an embodiment;

[0021]FIG. 9 is a block diagram of software components included in an embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of software components included in an embodiment;

[0023]FIG. 11 is a block diagram of software components included in an embodiment;

[0024]FIG. 12 is a block diagram of software components included in an embodiment;

[0025]FIG. 13 is a block diagram of software components included in an embodiment;

[0026]FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of a method used with an embodiment;

[0027]FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of a method used with an embodiment; and

[0028]FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of a method used with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0030] The presently preferred embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.

[0031] An architecture is disclosed for facilitating communications with one or more embedded devices from a client application. The architecture includes gateway software and server software. The gateway software includes device communications software for sending and receiving device messages to and from the one or more embedded devices and gateway communications software for sending and receiving communications to other software. The server software includes user interface software that is downloadable by the client application for use to communicate with the server software. The server software also includes serving software for responding to requests received from the client application through the user interface software. The server software also includes gateway communications software for sending and receiving communications to the gateway software. The architecture operates such that the server software communicates with the gateway software and the gateway software communicates with the one or more embedded devices. The server software sends a user interface component to the client application, and the client application uses the user interface component to communicate with an embedded device by sending communications to the server software. The server software facilitates communications with the embedded device through the gateway software.

[0032] In embodiments herein, the server software may include a web server. The user interface may comprise instructions written in HTML, HDML, WML, and the like. In addition, the user interface software may include a Java applet. The serving software may include a Java servlet.

[0033] The architecture may utilize a gateway computer in electronic communication with the one or more embedded devices. In addition, there may be a server computer in electronic communication with the gateway computer and also in electronic communication with a computer network for communications with a client device.

[0034] In certain embodiments, the gateway software and the server software may be running on the same computer. As a result, a gateway server computer may be used to communicate with the one or more embedded devices.

[0035]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of hardware components included in an embodiment. An embodiment of an architecture for facilitating communications with one or more embedded devices includes a client computer or device 20, a server computer 22 and a gateway computer 24. The gateway computer is in electronic communication with one or more embedded devices 26.

[0036] The embedded device 26 is any device, appliance, machine, tool, or the like that is capable of receiving and/or sending electronic signals or messages or that may be enabled to receive and/or send electronic signals. Examples of devices 26 within the scope of the term device includes a vending machine, a telephone, a door lock, a temperature sensor, a motor, a switch, a light, a printer, a fax machine, a refrigerator, a health monitor, an elevator/escalator, a copier, a scanner, manufacturing equipment, industrial equipment, computer equipment and peripherals, security systems, monitoring equipment, and the like. The device 26 typically includes a processor (often, but not always, a microcontroller), memory, and a communications port as well as other input/output components.

[0037] The various components used with embodiments herein may be in electronic communication with one another through various types of communication techniques. For example, embodiments herein may be used with many kinds of computer networks.

[0038] In embodiments herein, the gateway computer 24 may be connected to the embedded devices 26 through a variety of connections, including RS 232, RS 485, modem, powerline, wired connection, wireless connection, etc. The embedded device 26 may be connected to various input and output devices (not shown) through a variety of ways.

[0039] The client computer/device 20, the server computer 22 and the gateway computer 24 are all broadly defined digital computers. A computer, as used herein, is any device that includes a digital processor capable of receiving and processing data. A computer includes the broad range of digital computers including microcontrollers, hand-held computers, personal computers, servers, mainframes, supercomputers, and any variation or related device thereof.

[0040] The client computer/device 20, the server computer 22 and the gateway computer 24 may be separate computers. In addition, and as will be illustrated, they 20, 22, 24 may be the same computer. It will be appreciated that the functionality of these computers 20, 22, 24 may be distributed across a number of computers, or it may be consolidated down into one or two computers. Thus, the required functionality is needed for embodiments herein, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that many different hardware/software configurations may be used to achieve embodiments herein.

[0041] In current design, the server computer 22 and/or the gateway computer 24 are typically IBM-compatible personal computers running the Linux, Microsoft Windows NT, ME or 2000/98/95 operating system. Of course, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of hardware and/or software may be used to implement the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0042] As shown, the client computer/device 20 may also be included with the embodiment. The client computer/device 20 may be a computer similar to that which may be used as a server computer 22. In addition, other computing devices may be used as the client computer/device 20, for example, besides typical personal computers, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a pager, etc. may also be used as the client computer/device 20.

[0043] The embodiments herein may allow a user at a client computer/device 20 to access data/services at the embedded device 26 through the server 22 and/or gateway computer 24, even over great distances. The server computer 22, the gateway computer 24 and the client computer/device 20 may be connected together through various computer networks, such as a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, an intranet, direct-cable connections, dial-up connections, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0044]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of hardware components included in a further embodiment. As shown, an embodiment of an architecture for facilitating communications with one or more embedded devices may include a client computer or device 20, a server computer 22 and a gateway computer 24. The gateway computer is in electronic communication with one or more embedded devices 26. As shown in FIG. 2, the server computer 22 and the gateway computer 24 may be the same computer. Thus, the functionality of each system may be present on one computer system. In this embodiment, the client computer/device 20 is in electronic communication with a server/gateway computer 23. The server/gateway computer 23 is in electronic communication with one or more embedded devices 26.

[0045]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of hardware components included in a further embodiment. As shown, an embodiment of an architecture for facilitating communications with one or more embedded devices 26 may include a client computer or device 20, a server computer 22 and a gateway computer 24 all being implemented on one computer 21. The client/server/gateway computer 21 is in electronic communication with one or more embedded devices 26. As shown, the functionality of each system may be present on one computer system 21. In this embodiment, the client computer/device functionality, the server computer functionality and the gateway computer functionality all communicate with each other on the same computer 21. The client/server/gateway computer 21 is in electronic communication with one or more embedded devices 26.

[0046] As explained herein, the various components of the hardware embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3 may be implemented in various ways with many different kinds of hardware and/or software combinations. FIGS. 4-7 illustrate further embodiments of hardware configurations that may be used with the inventive principles and concepts disclosed herein. Of course, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that additional changes may be made to embodiments herein without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0047]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of hardware components included in a further embodiment. As shown, the client computer 20 is a personal computer 30. The server computer 22 is also a type of personal computer 34. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the personal computer 30 connects to the server PC 34 through a computer network 32. The computer network 32 illustrated in FIG. 4 is the Internet. The gateway computer 24 is also a type of personal computer 36. The gateway PC 36 and the server PC 34 are in electronic communication with one another.

[0048] The gateway PC 36 is in electronic communication with one or more embedded devices 26. Examples of embedded devices 26 are shown in FIG. 4. A propeller fan 26 a may be in electronic communication with the gateway PC 36. FIG. 4 also illustrates a flow control valve 26 b as an embedded device. A microwave 26 c may also be connected to the gateway PC 36. Some devices may be more directly connected to the gateway PC 36, while others may be more indirectly connected to the gateway PC 36. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a fluorescent lamp 26 d may be connected to the gateway PC 36 through a computer network 33. The computer network 33 may be the Internet, an intranet, a LAN, a WAN, etc.

[0049]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of hardware components included in a further embodiment. As shown, the client computer 20 is a cellular telephone 40. FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment where in the server computer 22 and the gateway computer 24 are the same computer 23. The server/gateway computer 23 is also a type of personal computer 42. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the client device cellular telephone 40 connects to the server/gateway PC 42 through a computer network 32. Many cellular telephones 40 and services are now commercially available for allowing a user to connect to the Internet and browse the World Wide Web through a mobile telephone. Such telephones 40 and services may be used with embodiments herein.

[0050] The server/gateway PC 42 is in electronic communication with one or more embedded devices 26. Further examples of embedded devices 26 are shown in FIG. 5. A vending machine 26 e may be in electronic communication with the server/gateway PC 42. FIG. 5 also illustrates a router 26 f as an embedded device. An outdoor metering device 26 g may also be connected to the server/gateway PC 42.

[0051]FIG. 6 is a block diagram of hardware components included in a further embodiment. As shown, the client computer 20 is a personal digital assistant (“PDA”) 44. The PDA is in electronic communication with the server PC 48 through a computer network 46. FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment where the server computer 22 and the gateway computer 24 are in electronic communication with each other through a computer network 50. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the client PDA 44 communicates with the server PC 48 through a computer network 32. Many PDAs 44 and services are now commercially available for allowing a user to connect to the Internet or to another type of computer network. Such PDAs 44 and services may be used with embodiments herein.

[0052] As shown, the gateway PC 52 is a laptop computer 52. The gateway PC 52 is in electronic communication with one or more embedded devices 26. Further examples of embedded devices 26 are shown in FIG. 6. A coffee maker 26 h may be in electronic communication with the gateway PC 52. FIG. 6 also illustrates a handheld device 26 i as an embedded device. A stove 26 j may also be connected to the gateway PC 52.

[0053]FIG. 7 is a block diagram of hardware components included in a further embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the functionality of the client computer 20, server computer 22 and gateway computer 24 is all on one computer 56. FIG. 7 illustrates a dumb terminal 54 in electronic communication with the client/server/gateway PC 56.

[0054] The client/server/gateway PC 52 is in electronic communication with one or more embedded devices 26. The embedded devices 26 illustrated in FIG. 7 are a vending machine 26 e, a stove 26 j, a fluorescent lamp 26 d and a microwave 26 c.

[0055]FIG. 8 is a block diagram of software components included in an embodiment. FIGS. 1-7 illustrated possible hardware configurations that may be used with embodiments herein. FIGS. 8-13 illustrate possible software configurations that may be used with embodiments herein. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the functionality discussed herein may be distributed across multiple computer systems, or it may be consolidated down into only one computer system. Thus, the examples of the software configurations are only meant as exemplary configurations and are not the only configurations that may be used.

[0056] The embodiment of FIG. 8 illustrates several pieces of device software 58. Each piece of device software is typically loaded and running on a device. Usually the device software 58 is embedded in the particular device. Those skilled in the art appreciate will appreciate how to write software for embedded devices and how to load the software on the embedded device.

[0057] The gateway software 60 provides communication to and from the devices to other computers and/or software that need to communicate with the embedded devices. The gateway software 60 is programmed to communicate with at least one type of embedded device. In the embodiments shown herein, the gateway 60 is programmed to communicate with several different types of embedded devices. Depending upon the type of device that the gateway needs to communicate with, different functionality may be programmed in the gateway. For example, if one device only understands on protocol, the gateway may be programmed to also understand that protocol so that it may communicate with the device. Alternatively, the device may be programmed with an additional protocol that the gateway 60 understands.

[0058] The gateway software 60 is also programmed to access data and services at the devices. Typically, data, functions, events, etc., on the device that someone may want to access are made available by programming the gateway 60 and/or the device software 58 to expose these items. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the device may be programmed to allow access to items on the device, or the gateway 60 may be programmed to access the items on the device, or a combination of programming in the device software 58 as well as the gateway software 60 may be accomplished to facilitate access to items on the device.

[0059] The gateway software 60 also has the functionality to allow other computers to send and receive data or messages to the devices through use of the gateway software 60. Accordingly, the gateway 60 includes the functionality that would allow another computer to send messages to the gateway 60. For example, the gateway 60 may understand and be able to communicate using TCP/IP. In addition, the gateway 60 may include an application programming interface (“API”) that other computers may use in communicating with the gateway 60. The gateway 60 would receive the message and perform any processing necessary. In some circumstances, the gateway 60 may forward the message on, whether in the same form or in an alternate form, to the particular device or devices. The gateway 60 may have the necessary information and/or functionality to process the message and respond to the message without needing to access or communicate with a device.

[0060] There are commercially available software packages and technology that would serve as the gateway software 60 and that also could serve as the device software 58. em Ware, Inc. provides software solutions that can be used as gateway software 60 and that can be used as the device software 58 or to implement the device software 58. More particularly, EMIT® (Embedded Micro Internetworking Technology) software from em Ware may be licensed and used to implement gateway software 60 and/or device software 58.

[0061] The server software 62 provides an interface to the gateway software 60 for the client software 64. The server software 62 is programmed to service requests from the client software 64. In servicing the requests, the server software 62 may communicate with the gateway software 60. If the server software 62 has sufficient information and functionality to service the request alone or with the assistance of third-party software, it may service the request without communicating with the gateway software 60. Because the server software 62 serves as an interface between client software 64 and the gateway software 60, the server 62 is programmed to communicate with the client software 64 and is also programmed to communicate with the gateway software 60. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the many communication techniques that may be used to communicate with the client software 64 and/or the gateway software 60.

[0062] The client software 64 serves as an interface for a user to communicate with the embedded devices. The particular features of the client software 64 may vary depending upon the device or devices that are being accessed with the software 64. The client software 64 communicates with the embedded devices through the server software 62 and the gateway software 60, as shown and described.

[0063]FIG. 9 is a block diagram of software components included in a further embodiment. The embodiment of FIG. 9 illustrates the gateway software 60 and the device software 58 as shown and described above. In this embodiment, the client software 66 may be a more general program capable of processing data. For example, the client software 66 may be a web browser, a document editor, a media player, a program for receiving streams, etc. The thin client 68 is a software component that can be processed or used by the client software 66 in order to present information or an interface to a user. The server and gateway interface software 70 serves to receive and process requests from the client software 66 and/or the thin client 68. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the client software 66 includes functionality that enables the thin client 68 to be smaller and more particularly focused on the data or information necessary for a user interface to communicate with the device. If a user already has the client software 66, then only the thin client 68 needs to be obtained for communications to and from the devices.

[0064]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of software components included in a further embodiment. The embodiment of FIG. 10 is implemented using techniques and components commonly used with the World Wide Web (the “Web”). A web browser 72 is used by a user to communicate with the devices. Web browsers are commercially available and are commonly used by persons accessing the Internet.

[0065] In this embodiment, a browser component 74 includes the user interface and functionality necessary to communicate with the embedded devices through a web server 76 and the gateway software 60. A browser component 74 is any set of instructions that can be processed by the browser 72 to provide a user interface to a user through which the user can communicate with the embedded devices. Examples of browser components 74 will be shown and discussed with FIG. 11.

[0066] The web server and gateway interface 76 receive and process requests from the browser 72 and/or browser component 74 and send appropriate communications to the gateway software 60 as necessitated by the requests from the user. Web servers are commercially available and can be used in implementing the embodiment of FIG. 10 as long as the necessary gateway communications functionality is added to the server. The gateway interface portion of the web server includes the functionality and logic to communicate with the gateway.

[0067]FIG. 11 is a block diagram of software components included in a further embodiment. The embodiment of FIG. 11 includes a web browser 78 communicating with a web server 80 over the Internet 82.

[0068] The browser 78 can use various components to provide a user interface to a user. For example flash 84, DHTML 86, Javascript 88, shockwave 90 and/or an applet 92 may be used to provide an interface to a user for communicating with or accessing an embedded device. Of course, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other 94 components may also be used.

[0069] The web server 80 may use various components to process requests from the user. For example, the web server 80 may user one more of any of the following: servlets 96, CGI scripts 98 or ActiveX components 100. Of course, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other components 104 may also be used.

[0070] The web server 80 may also include other gateway interface 102 instructions and/or components. Many components available may be programmed with the functionality necessary to communicate with the gateway 60. For example, servlets 96, CGI scripts 98 and ActiveX components may all be programmed and used to communicate with the gateway 60. In addition, gateway interface instructions 102 may be provided.

[0071]FIG. 12 is a block diagram of software components included in a further embodiment. The embodiment of FIG. 12 illustrates handheld device software 106 communicating with the web server 80 over a communications network 108. The handheld device 106 may be any type of electronic device capable of processing instructions to provide an interface for a user. The interface could be a visual user interface, an audio interface, or any other type of interface that would allow a user or client to communicate with server type software to achieve communications with an embedded device.

[0072] The handheld device software 106 can use various components to provide a user interface to a user. For example WNML 110 or HDNL 112 may be used to provide an interface to a user for communicating with or accessing an embedded device. Of course, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other 114 components may also be used. Each type of handheld device may have particular software techniques, components, modules, etc., that may be particularly suited for use with the device.

[0073] The communication network 108 may be any one or more networks capable of electronic communications. For example, the communications network 108 may include a wireless network (not shown) as well as a global computer network, such as the Internet. In addition, the communications network 108 may include local area networks, wide area networks, cellular networks, pager networks, direct cable connections, dial-up connections, etc.

[0074]FIG. 13 is a block diagram of software components included in a further embodiment. FIG. 13 illustrates a more generic application 116 communicating with a web server 80 over a communications network 118. The application 116 uses a client component 120 to provide a user interface to a user. The client 120 may be downloaded from the web server 80 for use by the application 116.

[0075] As shown, the web server 80 may use third party software 122 in accomplishing its tasks. Third party software 122 may include a variety of programs or sets of instructions to accomplish tasks that are necessary or that are helpful to the web server 80 or any of its components. For example, the third party software 122 may include security components for restricting access or verifying a user's identity, providing weather information, storing or accessing user preferences, aggregating data, emailing messages to recipients, etc.

[0076] The web server 80 may also access a database 124 to store or retrieve information that may be needed. For example, the web server 80 may be receiving communications from many embedded devices. In this situation, the web server 80 may store the information or data it receives in a database 124. The database 124 may also be used to store the various components that are sent to client computers 20.

[0077]FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of a method used with an embodiment. Generally, a client or device requests 126 data from the server. The server responds by sending 128 the data requested to the client. Using the data received, the client sends 130 a device request to the server. The device request is any communication that relates to an embedded device.

[0078] The server receives 132 the request and, if necessary, communicates 134 the request to the gateway and/or third party software. The gateway accesses or communicates 136 with the device or devices to fulfill the request. The gateway then sends 138 a response to the server. The server may send 140 a response to the client and/or to third party software. The client receives 142 the response and may perform further processing. If the client desires to send more requests to the server, as shown, the client sends 130 another request to the server, and the processing may continue as shown and discussed. If the client has no more need to communicate with the server and embedded devices, the process may be complete.

[0079]FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of a method used with a further embodiment. The embodiment of FIG. 15 is more particularly directed towards an embodiment using a web browser and web server. The browser requests 144 the user interface from the server. This request may simply be an HTTP request for a particular document or component, it may be a command sent to a component on the server, etc.

[0080] The server receives the request and sends 146 the user interface component to the browser. The browser then receives the component and opens, executes or otherwise uses 148 the component to provide an interface for the user to communicate with one or more embedded devices via the server and gateway communication pathway.

[0081] Using the user interface, the user sends 150 device requests. The device requests are serviced, as discussed herein. The request and the processing of the request may be repeated until all requests have been serviced.

[0082]FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of a method used with a further embodiment. The embodiment of FIG. 16 illustrates the server/gateway side of processing. The server receives 154 a device request from a client. The server may determine whether any third party software is needed to fulfill the request. If third party software is needed, the third party software may then be accessed or executed 156, as needed. The server may then send 158 a response back to the browser. If more processing is needed, the flow of steps may continue as illustrated.

[0083] The server may determine whether the gateway is needed to fulfill the request. If the gateway is not needed, then the server may service 160 the request and send 158 a response back to the browser. If more processing is needed, the flow of steps may continue as illustrated.

[0084] If the gateway is needed to fulfill the request, the server may send 162 a message to the gateway to facilitate the request being fulfilled. The gateway may fulfill 164 the request, either partially or fully, by processing the message and/or by providing requested information, or by providing the data necessary for the server to provide the proper response. The gateway may then send 166 a response back to the server. The server may send 158 a response to the browser. If more processing is needed, the flow of steps may continue as illustrated.

[0085] WAP and EMIT SDK Example

[0086] The following WAP (“Wireless Application Protocol”) example provides a basic tutorial on using WML (“Wireless Markup Language”) and HDML (“Handheld Device Markup Language”) along with software and hardware packages available from em Ware, Inc., including EMIT®, em Ware's emGateway™ software and development kits.

[0087] WML and HDML are the basis for presentation on web-enabled wireless devices including cellular phones and PDA's. The examples herein can be used and viewed from a WAP enabled device or emulator. To implement and use these examples, a server needs to be configured for WML and HDML. A WAP emulator or simulator may also be useful. One such simulator is provided by Phone.Com: the UP.Simulator. This simulator is presently available from the Phone.com developer site. To run the servlets, a servlet engine is needed. One such servlet engine is the Resin Servlet Runner.

[0088] A resource constraint of the wireless devices being sold today is the amount of onboard memory. Because of this current constraint, it is recommended that each individual Deck be limited to 1350 bytes of ‘compiled’ data. (A “Deck” is a commonly used description of an entire file sent to the wireless device. A Deck may contain many “cards”.) Although some phones will support much larger file sizes, there are presently a large number of WAP devices that will support no more than the recommended size. “Compiled” in this context means it is compressed by the WAP gateway for sending to the mobile phone. Different WAP gateways vary in how they compile a WML page. Accordingly, if a particular page is close to the limit, it may be that occasionally it does not work on some gateways, or even some phones. Another current resource constraint of wireless devices is their slow connection. Most devices top out at about 9600 bps. As a result, the present embodiments keep the file size small. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that wireless devices will be equipped with more resources, with the ability to connect at higher data rates, etc., such that the current need to keep the file sizes small will no longer be an issue.

[0089] An understanding of programming using HDML and WML is assumed. Many resources are currently available to educate and train programmers in HDML and WML. Accordingly, these examples will focus on how to use WML and HDML with em Ware® technology to achieve the present embodiments. The examples will not attempt to teach the basics of HDML or WML programming. The following examples use the EMIT®-enabled Hitachi H8 SDK board available from em Ware. The examples also use the emGateway™ software and a Java servlet.

[0090] The following example is a simple application that connects to and controls an EMIT®-enabled Hitachi H8 SDK board using emGateway™ software and a Java servlet. The SDK board currently includes LEDs and a rotary knob. These applications will pull the values of the red and green LEDs and the rotary knob, and display them on the wireless device. The applications also allow a user to change the values on the red and green LEDs (this will adjust their brightness). The following examples use a servlet and HDML: import java.io.*; import javax,servlet.*; import javax.servlet.http.*; import java.awt.*; import java.util.*; import java.awt.event.*; import emJava20.emCore.*; import com.emWare.emClient.*; import com.emWare.emAWT.*; public class emitsdkhdml extends HttpServlet { JEmit jemit; public emitsdkhdml() { jemit = new JEmit(); try { jemit.setHost(“10.1.1.29”); jemit.setPort(88); /* jemit.setUsername(“Username goes here if Nec.”); jemit.setPassword(“Password Goes here if Nec.”); */ jemit.setDevice(“d=005040000001”); jemit.connect(); } catch (Exception e) { System.out.printIn(“Connecting: ”+ e); } try { jemit.poll(); } catch (Exception e) { System.out.printIn(“Starting poll: ”+e); } } public void doGet(HttpServletRequest req, HttpServletResponse res) throws ServletException, IOException { res.setContentType(“text/x-hdml”); PrintWriter out = res.getWriter(); try { Short redObj = (Short)jemit.getVariable(“Red”); short redValdrt = redObj.shortValue(); int redVallnt = redValdrt; String redVal = Integer.toString(redVallnt); Short greenObj = (Short)jemit.getVariable(“Green”); short greenValdrt = greenObj.shortValue(); int greenVallnt = greenValdrt; String greenVal = Integer.toString(greenVallnt); Short knobObj = (Short)jemit.getVariable(“Knob”); short knobValdrt = knobObj.shortValue(); int knobVallnt = knobValdrt; String knobVal = Integer.toString(knobVallnt); Random rand = new Random(); if (req.getParameter(“label”)==null) { out.printIn(“<HDML VERSION=3.0 TTL=0>”); out.printIn(“ <!-- Sets variables then skips to #home -->”); out.printIn(“ <nodisplay>”); out.printIn(“ <ACTION TYPE=ACCEPT TASK=GO DEST=#home VARS=red=“+redVal+”&green=“+greenVal+”&knob=“+knobVal+”>″); out.printIn(“ </nodisplay>”); out.printIn(“ <DISPLAY NAME=home>”); out.printIn(“ <ACTION TYPE=ACCEPT TASK=GO DEST=http://“+req.getServerName()+”:“+req.getServerPort()+”“+req.getRequestURI()+”?“+rand.nextInt ()+”#menu VARS=red=“+redVal+”&green=“+greenVal+”&knob=“+knobVal+”>″); out.printIn(“ <CENTER>Hello!<br>”); out.printIn(“ Welcome to<br>”); out.printIn(“ EMWARE<br>”); out.printIn(“ &nbsp;<br>”); out.printIn(“ Press OK to go to the menu page.”); out.printIn(“ </DISPLAY>”); out.printIn(“ <CHOICE name=menu>”); out.printIn(“ <ACTION TYPE=SOFT1 LABEL=Refresh TASK=GO DEST=http://“+req.getServerName()+”:“+req.getServerPort()+”“+req.getRequestURI()+”?“+rand.nextInt ()+”#menu VARS=red=“+redVal+”&green=“+greenVal+”&knob=“+knobVal+”>″); out.printIn(“ Red: $red<br>”); out.printIn(“ Green: $green<br>”); out.printIn(“ Knob: $knob<br>”); out.printIn(“ <CE TASK=GO DEST=#setred LABEL=Red>Set Red LED”); out.printIn(“ <CE TASK=GO DEST=#setgreen LABEL=Green>Set Green LED”); out.printIn(“ <CE TASK=GO DEST=#home LABEL=Home>Go Home”); out.printIn(“ </CHOICE>”); out.printIn(“ <ENTRY NAME=setred KEY=red FORMAT=NNN>”); out.printIn(“ <ACTION TYPE=accept LABEL=Set TASK=GO VARS=red=“+redVal+” DEST=http://“+req.getServerName()+”:“+req.getServerPort()+”“+req.getRequestURI()+”?label=1&val=$ red>″); out.printIn(“ Enter the new value of red:”); out.printIn(“ </ENTRY>”); out.printIn(“ <ENTRY NAME=setgreen KEY=green FORMAT=NNN>”); out.printIn(“ <ACTION TYPE=accept LABEL=Set TASK=GO VARS=green=“+greenVal+” DEST=http://“+req.getserverName()+”:“+req.getServerPort()+”“+req.getRequestURI()+”?label=2&val=$ green>”); out.printIn(“ Enter the new value of green:”); out.printIn(“ </ENTRY>”); out.printIn(“</HDML>”); } else if (Integer.parseInt(req.getParameter(“label”))==1) { int i = Integer.parseInt(req.getParameter(“val”)); jemit.setVariable( “Red”,new Integer(i)); res.sendRedirect(“http://”+req.getServerName()+“:”+req.getServerPort()+“”+req.getRe questURI()+“#menu”); } else if (Integer.parseInt(req.getParameter(“label”))==2) { int i = Integer.parseInt(req.getParameter(“val”)); jemit.setVariable( “Green”,new Integer(i)); res.sendRedirect(“http://”+req.getServerName()+“:”+req.getServerPort()+“”+req.getRe questURI()+“#menu”); } } catch (Exception e) { out.printIn(e); } } protected void finalize() { System.out.printIn(“finalize() Called”); try { jemit.disconnect(); } catch(Exception e) { System.out.printIn(“Exception disconnecting: ”+e); } } }

[0091] As illustrated, the above example connects to and controls the EMIT®-enabled Hitachi H8 SDK board using emGateway™ software and a Java servlet. The above example pulls the values of the red and green LEDs and the rotary knob, and displays them on the wireless device. The following examples use a servlet and WML. import java.io.*; import javax.servlet.*; import javax.servlet.http.*; import java.awt.*; import java.util.*; import java.awt.event.*; import emJava20.emCore.*; import com.emWare.emClient.*; import com.emWare.emAWT.*; public class emitsdkwml extends HttpServlet { JEmit jemit; public emitsdkwml() { jemit = new JEmit(); try { jemit.setHost(“10.1.1.29”); jemit.setPort(88); /* jemit.setUsername(“Username goes here if Nec.”); jemit.setPassword(“Password Goes here if Nec.”); */ jemit.setDevice(“d=005040000001”); jemit.connect(); } catch (Exception e) { System.out.printIn(“Connecting: ”+ e); } try { jemit.poll(); } catch (Exception e) { System.out.printIn(“Starting poll: ”+e); } } public void doGet(HttpServletRequest req, HttpServletResponse res) throws ServletException, IOException { res.setContentType(“text/vnd.wap.wml”); PrintWriter out = res.getWriter(); try { Short redObj = (Short)jemit.getVariable(“Red”); short red Valdrt = redObj.shortValue(); int red Vallnt = redValdrt; String redVal = Integer.toString(redVallnt); Short greenObj = (Short)jemit.getVariable(“Green”); short greenValdrt = greenObj.shortValue(); int greenVallnt = greenValdrt; String greenVal = Integer.toString(greenVallnt); Short knobObj = (Short)jemit.getVariable(“Knob”); short knobValdrt = knobObj.shortValue(); int knobVallnt = knobValdrt; String knobVal = Integer.toString(knobVallnt); if (req.getParameter(“page”)==null) { writeIndex(out); } else if (req.getParameter(“page”).equals(“Menu”)) { writeMenu(out, redVal, greenVal, knobVal); } else if (req.getParameter(“page”).equals(“Polled”)) { writePolled(out, redVal, greenVal, knobVal); } else if (req.getParameter(“page”).equals(“ChangeRed”)) { writeChangeRed(out, redVal); } else if (req.getParameter(“page”).equals(“ChangeGreen”)) { writeChangeGreen(out, greenVal); } else if (req.getParameter(“page”).equals(“ChangeMode”)) { writeChangeMode(out); } else if (req.getParameter(“page”).equals(“Both”)) { if (req.getParameter(“Min”) != null) { int i = Integer.parseInt(req.getParameter(“Min”)); jemit.setVariable( “Red”,new Integer(i)); jemit.setVariable( “Green”,new Integer(i)); res.sendRedirect(“?page=Menu”); } else if (req.getParameter(“Max”) != null) { int i = Integer.parseInt(req.getParameter(“Max”)); jemit.setVariable( “Red”,new Integer(i)); jemit.setVariable( “Green”,new Integer(i)); res.sendRedirect(“?page=Menu”); } } else if (req.getParameter(“page”).equals(“SetRed”)) { if (!(req.getParameter(“redVal”).equals(“”))&&((Integer.parseInt(req.getParameter(“redVal”))>=0)&&(Integ er.parseInt(req.getParameter(“redVal”))<=255))) { int i = Integer.parseInt(req.getParameter(“redVal”)); jemit.setVariable( “Red”,new Integer(i)); res.sendRedirect(“?page=Menu”); } else { res.sendRedirect(“?page=Error”); } } else if (req.getParameter(“page”).equals(“SetGreen”)) { if (!(req.getParameter(“greenVal”).equals(“”))&&((Integer.parseInt(req.getParameter(“greenVal”))>=0)&&( Integer.parseInt(req.getParameter(“greenVal”))<=255))) { int i = Integer.parseInt(req.getParameter(“greenVal”)); jemit.setVariable( “Green”,new Integer(i)); res.sendRedirect(“?page=Menu”); } else { res.sendRedirect(“?page=Error”); } } else if (req.getParameter(“page”).equals(“SetMode”)) { int i = Integer.parseInt(req.getParameter(“Mode”)); jemit.setVariable( “ChgMode”,new Integer(i)); res.sendRedirect(“?page=Menu”); } else if (req.getParameter(“page”).equals(“Error”)) { writeError(out); } } catch (Exception e) { out.printIn(e); } } public void writeIndex(PrintWriter out) { // Begin wml page: “Index” ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// out.printIn(“<?xml version=\“1.0\“?>”); out.printIn(“<!DOCTYPE wml PUBLIC \”-//WAPFORUM//DTD WML 1.1//EN\“”); out.printIn(“ \“http://www.wapforum.org/DTD/wml₋1.1.xml\”>″); out.printIn(“<wml>”); out.printIn(“<!-############### Index ######################-> ”); out.printIn(“<head>”); out.printIn(“<meta http-equiv=\“Cache-Control\”content=\“max-age=0\”/>″); out.printIn(“</head>”); out.printIn(“<card>”); out.printIn(“ <do type=\”accept\“>”); out.printIn(“ <go method=\“post\” href=\“emitsdkwml?page=Menu\”/>″); out.printIn(“ </do>”); out.printIn(“ <p align=\”center\“>”); out.printIn(“ Welcome to <br/>”); out.printIn(“ the EMWARE<br/>”); out.printIn(“ SDK Demo<br/>”); out.printIn(“ Press OK to go to the menu page.”); out.printIn(“ </p>”); out.printIn(“</card>”); out.printIn(“</wml>”); ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // End wml page: “Index” } public void writeMenu(PrintWriter out, String redVal, String greenVai, String knobVal) { // Begin wml page: “Menu” ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// out.printIn(“<?xml version=\”1.0\“?>”); out.printIn(“<!DOCTYPE wml PUBLIC \”-//WAPFORUM//DTD WML 1.1//EN\“”); out. printIn(“ \”http://www.wapforum.org/DTD/wml₋1.1.xml\“>”); out.printIn(“<wml>”); outprintIn(“<head>”); out.printIn(“<meta http-equiv=\”Cache-Control\“content=\”must-revalidate\“/>”); out.printIn(“<meta http-equiv=\”Cache-Control\“content=\”no-cache\“/>”); out.printIn(“</head>”); out.printIn(“”); out.printIn(“<card>”); out.printIn(“ <p>Red LED: ”+redVal+“”); out.printIn(“ <br/>Green LED: ”+greenVal+“”); out.printIn(“ <br/>Knob Value: ”+knobVal+“”); out.printIn(“ <br/>”); out.printIn(“ <anchor title=\”Polled\“><go method=\”post\“ href=\”emitsdkwml?page=Polled\“>”); out.printIn(“ </go>Polled Values</anchor><br/>”); out.printIn(“ <anchor title=\”Red\“><go method=\”post\“ href=\”emitsdkwml?page=ChangeRed\“>”); out.printIn(“ </go>Change Red LED</anchor><br/>”); out.printIn(“ <anchor title=\”Green\“><go method=\”post\“ href=\”emitsdkwml?page=ChangeGreen\“>”); out.printIn(“ </go>Change Green LED</anchor><br/>”); out.printIn(“ <anchor title=\”Mode\“><go method=\”post\“ href=\”emitsdkwml?page=ChangeMode\“>”); out.printIn(“ </go>Change Mode</anchor><br/>”); out.printIn(“ <anchor title=\”Min\“><go method=\”post\“ href=\”emitsdkwml?page=Both&#38;Min=0\“>”); out.printIn(“ </go>Set Both to Min</anchor><br/”); out.printIn(“ <anchor title=\”Max\“><go method=\”post\“ href=\”emitsdkwml?page=Both&#38;Max=255\“>”); out.printIn(“ </go>Set Both to Max</anchor><br/>”); out.printIn(“ </p>”); out.printIn(“</card>”); out.printIn(“</wml>”); ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // End wml page: “Menu” } public void writePolled(PrintWriter out, String redVal, String greenVal, String knobVal) { // Begin wml page: “Polled” ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// out.printIn(“<?xml version=\”1.0\“?>”); out.printIn(“<!DOCTYPE wml PUBLIC \”-//WAPFORUM//DTD WML 1.1//EN\“”); out.printIn(“ \”http://www.wapforum.org/DTD/wml₋1.1.xml\“>”); out.printIn(“<wml>”); out.printIn(“<head>”); out.printIn(“<meta http-equiv=\”Cache-Control\“content=\”must-revalidate\“/>”); out.printIn(“<meta http-equiv=\”Cache-Control\“content=\”no-cache\“/>”); out.printIn(“</head>”); out.printIn(“”); out.printIn(“<card ontimer=\”emitsdkwml?page=Polled\“>”); outprintIn(“timer value=\”50\“/>”); out.printIn(“<do type=\”accept\“ label=\”Menu\“>”); out.printIn(“ <go method=\”post\“href=\”emitsdkwml?page=Menu\“/>”); out.printIn(“ </do>”); out.printIn(“ <p>Red LED: ”+redVal+“”); out.printIn(“ <br/>Green LED: ”+greenVal+“”); out.printIn(“ <br/>knob Value: ”+knobVal+“”); out.printIn(“ </p>”); out.printIn(“</card>”); out.printIn(“</wml>”); out.printIn(“ ”); ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // End wml page: “Polled” } public void writeChangeRed(PrintWriter out, String redVal) { // Begin wml page: “ChangeRed” ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// out.printIn(“<?xml version=\”1.0\“?>”); out.printIn(“<!DOCTYPE wml PUBLIC \”-//WAPFORUM//DTD WML 1.1//EN\“”); out.printIn(“ \”http://www.wapforum.org/DTD/wml₋1.1.xml\“>”); out.printIn(“<wml>”); out.printIn(“<head>”); out.printIn(“<meta http-equiv=\”Cache-Control\“content=\”must-revalidate\“/>”); out.printIn(“<meta http-equiv=\”Cache-Control\“content=\”no-cache\“/>”); out.printIn(“</head>”); out.printIn(“”); out.printIn(“<card>”); out.printIn(“ <do type=\”accept\“label=\”Enter\“>”); out.printIn(“ <go method=\”post\“href=\”emitsdkwml?page=SetRed&#38;redVal=$red\“>”); out.printIn(“ >/go<”); out.printIn(“ </do>”); out.printIn(“ <p>Red LED: ”+redVal+“”); out.printIn(“ <br/>Enter new value<br/>”); out.printIn(“ *Must be between 0 and 255”); out.printIn(“ <input name=\”red\“format=\”*N\“maxlength=\”3\“/>”); out.printIn(“ </p>”); out.printIn(“</card>”); out.printIn(“</wml>”); ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // End wml page: “ChangeRed” } public void writeChangeGreen(PrintWriter out, String greenVal) { // Begin wml page: “ChangeGreen” ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// out.printIn(“<?xml version=\”1.0\“?>”); out.printIn(“<!DOCTYPE wml PUBLIC \”-//WAPFORUM//DTD WML 1.1//EN\“”); out.printIn(“ \”http://www.wapforum.org/DTD/wml₋1.1.xml\“>”); out.printIn(“<wml>”); out.printIn(“<head>”); out.printIn(“<meta http-equiv=\”Cache-Control\“content=\”must-revalidate\“/>”); out.printIn(“<meta http-equiv=\”Cache-Control\“content=\”no-cache\“/>”); out.printIn(“</head>”); out.printIn(“”); out.printIn(“<card>”); out.printIn(“ <do type=\”accept\“label=\”Enter\“>”); out.printIn(“ <go method=\”post\“ href=\”emitsdkwml?page=SetGreen&#38;greenVal=$green\“>”); out.printIn(“ >/go<”); out.printIn(“ </do>”); out.printIn(“ <p>Green LED: ”+greenVal+“”); out.printIn(“ <br/>Enter new value<br/>”); out.printIn(“ *Must be between 0 and 255”); out.printIn(“ <input name=\”green\“format=\”*N\“maxlength=\”3\“/>”); out.printIn(“ </p>”); out.printIn(“</card>”); out.printIn(“</wml>”); ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // End wml page: “ChangeGreen” } public void writeChangeMode(PrintWriter out) { // Begin wml page: “ChangeMode” ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// out.printIn(“<?xml version=\”1.0\“?>”); out.printIn(“<!DOCTYPE wml PUBLIC \”-//WAPFORUM//DTD WML 1.1//EN\“”); out.printIn(“ \”http://www.wapforum.org/DTD/wml₋1.1.xml\“>”); out.printIn(“<wml>”); out.printIn(“<head>”); out.printIn(“<meta http-equiv=\”Cache-Control\“content=\”must-revalidate\“/>”); out.printIn(“<meta http-equiv=\”Cache-Control\“content=\”no-cache\“/>”); out.printIn(“</head>”); out.printIn(“”); out.printIn(“<card>”); out.printIn(“ <do type=\”option\“label=\”Menu\“>”); out.printIn(“ <go method=\”post\“href=\”emitsdkwml?page=Menu\“>”); out.printIn(“ </go>”); out.printIn(“ </do>”); out.printIn(“ <p>”); out.printIn(“ <anchor title=\”Local\“><go method=\”post\” href=\”emitsdkwml?page=SetMode&#38;Mode=0\“>”); out.printIn(“ </go>Local Control</anchor><br />”); out.printIn(“ <anchor title=\”Phone\“><go method=\”post\” href=\”emitsdkwml?page=SetMode&#38;Mode=3\“>”); out.printIn(“ </go>Phone Control</anchor><br/>”); out.printIn(“ </p>”); out.printIn(“</card>”); out.printIn(“</wml>”); ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // End wml page: “Changemode” } pubiic void writeError(PrintWriter out) { // Begin wml page: “Error” ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// out.printIn(“<?xml version=\”1.0\“?>”); out.printIn(“<!DOCTYPE wml PUBLIC \”-//WAPFORUM//DTD WML 1.1 //EN\“”); out.printIn(“ \”http://www.wapforum.org/DTD/wml₋1.1.xml\“>”); out.printIn(“<wml>”); out.printIn(“<!-############### Error ######################-> ”); out.printIn(“<head>”); out.printIn(“<meta http-equiv=\”Cache-Control\“content=\”max-age=0\“/>”); out.printIn(“</head>”); out.printIn(“<card>”); out.printIn(“ <do type=\”accept\“>”); out.printIn(“ <go method=\”post\“href=\”emitsdkwml?page=Menu\“/>”); out.printIn(“ </do>”); outprintIn(“ <p<”); out.printIn(“Value entered must be between 0 and 255<br/> <br/>”); out.printIn(“ Please press OK to return to Menu ”); out.printIn(“ </p>”); out.printIn(“</card>”); out.printIn(“</wml>”); ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // End wml page: “Error” } protected void finalize() { System.out.printIn(“finalize() Called”); try { jemit.disconnect(); } catch(Exception e) { System.out.printIn(“Exception disconnecting: ”+e); } } }

[0092] The foregoing examples may be used in conjunction with an Apache web server and Caucho's Resin Java Servlet Engine, as discussed below. If the Apache web server and the gateway product available from emWare are to be installed on the same computer, one of them is to be associated with a port other than port 80 because they do not share this port.

[0093] HTTP TUNNELING Example

[0094] The following example is an example showing HTTP Tunneling and demonstrating how to use a Java applet to communicate with a Java servlet, which in turn will communicate with a device on emWare's emGateway™ product of EMIT 4.0. The following pieces of source code will be referred to in the description. The following code will be referred to as the file AppServDemo.html. <html> <head> <title>Applet To Servlet Communication Demo</title> <head> <body bgcolor=“#000000”> <applet name=“demoAppToServ” width=“403” height=“439” code=“AppToServlet.class” archive=“demoAppToServlet.jar”> <param name=“servleturl” value=“http://10.1.1.28:80/servlet/EmitServlet4”> </applet> </body> </html>

[0095] The following source code will be referred to as the file AppToServlet.java. In this example, the following applet communicates with EmitServlet via HTTP Tunneling which will communicate with the emGateway™ software.

[0096] The foregoing files may be used with the HTTP Tunneling example that demonstrates how to use a Java applet to communicate with a Java servlet, which in turn will communicate with the device on the emGateway™ software of EMIT 4.0. The applet AppToServlet communicates with the servlet EmitServlet4 via HTTP tunneling over Port 80, and the servlet acts as a communication link between the applet and the device on the emGateway™ software.

[0097] When EmitServlet4.java is compiled, five class files should be generated: EmitServlet4.class, BoardModel.class, DeviceSetter.class, DeviceUpdated.class and EmitHandler.class. The preceding five class files should then be manually copied into the servlet directory of the same web server from which the applet will be served. For example, if the Apache Web Server is being used along with Caucho's Resin Java Servlet Engine, and if the Apache Web Server was installed into its default location on a Windows 32-bit platform, then the above mentioned class files should be copied to the following directory:

[0098] C:\Program Files\Apache Group\Apache\htdocs\web-inf\classes\

[0099] The file em Warejar (available from emWare) should be copied from the default EMIT® 4.0 installation directory

[0100] C:\emWare\VisualCafe Extras\bin\Components\

[0101] into the lib directory of the Java Servlet Engine. For example, if you are using version 1 .2.b1 of Caucho's Resin Java Servlet Engine, and if Resin was installed into its default location on a Windows 32-bit platform, then the above mentioned jar file should be copied to the following directory:

[0102] C:\resin1.2.b1\lib\

[0103] When AppToServletjava is compiled, seven class files should be generated: ButtonListener.class, DeviceSettings.class, GreenLedListener.class, ModeListener.class, RedLedListener.class, ServletMonitor.class and AppToServlet.class. It is recommended that the preceding seven class files be compressed within a jar file—along with the following sixteen emObject™ class files (available from emWare), which can be found within the EMIT® 4.0 directories, located under the emJava20 default installation directory: AlphaFilter.class, BrightnessFilter.class, emBarDisplay.class, EmbeddedVariableEvent.class, EmbeddedVariableListener.class, emBevelPanel.class, emKnob.class, emLabelObject.class, emLEDSwitch.class, emSwitch.class, emTransparentObject.class, emTransparentPanel.class, emType.class, emVariable.class, emVariableLabel.class and Imageutil.class. With all of the preceding twenty three class files included, the jar file should be rendered 55.4 KB in file size. The AppToServlet.class is served from the same web server on which EmitServlet4.class will run.

[0104] The HTTP tunneling example, from the applet's perspective, occurs as follows: (1) the AppToServlet.class is called by the browser or applet viewer, along with a parameter [servleturl], which is the URL to the EmitServlet4; (2) the method init( ) is automatically called by the browser or applet viewer to inform the applet that it has been loaded into the system; (3) the method init( ) initializes the applet by instantiating the DeviceSettings object, which represents the device status values, and then by instantiating the ServletMonitor object, which creates a thread that provides communication to the servlet; (4) when the ServletMonitor thread is started, its member function run( ) is called, the servlet URL is retrieved using getparameter( ), and as long as the applet continues to run, the thread continues to initiate communication with the servlet; (5) a URL object is instantiated with the servlet URL, along with a query string in which is encoded the values of the device variables as they are to be set from the applet (this is how the values are communicated to the servlet); (6) then a URLConnection( ) object is instantiated using the URL object, and the method openConnection( ) is then called on the URLConnection object, which actually initiates a connection to the servlet; (7) now that the connection has been made, a BufferedReader object is instantiated using the getInputStream( ) method of the URLConnection object; (8) a String object is then assigned the value returned by the readLine( ) method of the BufferedReader object (after which the BufferedReader stream is closed, the servlet has printed to the BufferedReader stream a string of characters used to transmit the values on the device, this is how the values are communicated back to the applet); (9) then the function serverStringParser( ) is called using the String object just assigned, which then parses the data received from the BufferedReader object in order to use this data to obtain the new values of the devices settings; (10) now, whenever any values are changed in the applet, those changes are recorded in the ServletMonitor object so that the next time the thread initiates a connection to the servlet those changes get recorded by the servlet (which will in turn communicate those changes to the emGateway).

[0105] The HTTP tunneling example, from the servlet's perspective, occurs as follows: (1) EmitServlet4.class is called by an applet call to the server along with a query string in which is encoded the values of the device variables as they were set in the applet; (2) the method init( ) is automatically called by the servlet container to indicate that the servlet is being placed into service; (3) the method init( ) initializes the servlet by instantiating the BoardModel object, which provides a model for the values on the physical device; (4) then the DeviceSetter object is instantiated, which provides a mechanism to set values on the physical device (the BoardModel object is required in order to instantiate the DeviceSetter object); (5) then the DeviceUpdated object is instantiated, which makes changes to the BoardModel object when the physical device changes (the DeviceSetter object is required in order to instantiate the DeviceUpdated object); (6) then the EmitHandler object is instantiated, which creates a separate thread that establishes a connection to the emGateway™ software, acting as a communication link between the applet and the emGateway™ software (DeviceUpdated object and the BoardModel object are both required in order to instantiate the EmitHandler object); (7) when the EmitHandler thread is started, its member function run( ) is automatically called; (8) the JEmit object is then instantiated; (9) the host field of the JEmit object is set with the IP address or name of the emGateway™ host computer; (10) the port field of the JEmit object is set with the emGateway™ HTTP port number; (11) the device name of the JEmit object is set with the device string; (12) the username field is set with the usemame that the Jemit object is using to connect to the emGateway™ computer; (13) the password field is set with the password (associated with username) on the emGateway™ computer; (14) then the JEmit object is connected to the emGateway™ computer; (15) the servlet is then added to the JEmit object as an EmbeddedListener, and the embedded device variables are subscribed to in the JEmit object; (16) now when one of the subscribed device variables is changed on the physical device, the EmitHandler member function embeddedVariableChanged( ) is called; (17) the function embeddedVariableChanged( ) determines what embedded event was fired, and then calls the appropriate update function from the DeviceUpdated object for the given event; (18) the given DeviceUpdated update function then calls the appropriate update function from the BoardModel object, which in turn sets the value of the given member variable of the BoardModel object—thus providing a representation of the values on the physical device. When the servlet needs to obtain access to the physical values on the device the values can be accessed from the BoardModel object (the reason for the round-about way of updating values in steps (9) and (10) is to modularize the process so that the variables and methods of the DeviceUpdated object and the BoardModel object may be accessed from varied instances); (19) each time the servlet is called, the doGet( ) method is initiated by the server (via the service method) in order to allow the servlet to handle a GET request, the doGet( ) method then parses the device values from the query string with the getparameter( ) method, and these values are then used to update theDeviceModel object (this is how the values are communicated from the applet); (20) finally, the doGet( ) method prints output to the servlet response, which provides a stream of characters back to the applet, the character stream is constructed using the values provided by the BoardModel object, thus communicating any changes made to the physical device (this is how the values are communicated back to the applet).

[0106] The HTTP Tunneling example may be used with the Apache Web Server along with Caucho's Resin Java Servlet Engine, on a Windows 32-bit platform. In current design, to install the Apache Web Server and the emGateway™ software on the same machine, they are configured for differ port numbers, as they currently cannot both share the same port. The HTTP Tunneling example assumes that the Apache Web Server has been configured on port 80 and that the emGateway™ software has been configured on port 81.

[0107] After the emGateway™ software, the Apache Web Server and the Resin Servlet Engine have been started, the example may be run. All Java servlet class files may be placed in the following directory:

[0108] C:\Program Files\Apache Group\Apache\htdocs\web-inf\classes\

[0109] Even though Apache and the Resin are installed into two completely different directories, access to the servlets will be made through the Apache Web Server.

[0110] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all

[0111] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for facilitating communications with one or more embedded devices from a client application, said system comprising: gateway software, said gateway software including: device communications software, said device communications software comprising instructions for sending and receiving device messages to and from the one or more embedded devices; and gateway communications software, said gateway communications software comprising instructions for sending and receiving communications to other software; server software, said server software including: user interface software, said user interface software being downloadable by the client application and being usable by the client application to communicate with said server software; serving software, said serving software responding to requests received from the client application through the user interface software; gateway communications software, said gateway communications software comprising instructions for sending and receiving communications to said gateway software; said system operating such that said server software communicates with said gateway software and said gateway software communicates with the one or more embedded devices, said server software operating to send a user interface component to the client application, the client application thereafter using the user interface component to communicate with an embedded device by sending communications to said server software, said server software facilitating communications with the embedded device through said gateway software.
 2. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the server software comprises a web server.
 3. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein the user interface software comprises instructions written in HTML.
 4. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein the user interface software comprises instructions written in HDML.
 5. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein the user interface software comprises instructions written in WML.
 6. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein the user interface software comprises a Java applet.
 7. The system as defined in claim 6 wherein the serving software comprises a Java servlet.
 8. A system for facilitating communications with one or more embedded devices from a client device, said system comprising: a gateway computer in electronic communication with the one or more embedded devices, said gateway computer running gateway software, said gateway software including: device communications software, said device communications software comprising instructions for sending send device messages to the one or more embedded devices and for receiving receive device messages from the one or more embedded devices; and gateway communications software, said gateway communications software comprising instructions for sending and receiving communications to other software; a server computer in electronic communication with said gateway computer, said server computer being in electronic communication with a computer network for communications with the client device, and said server computer running server software, said server software including: user interface software, said user interface software being usable by the client device to communicate with said server software; serving software, said serving software responding to requests received from the client device through the user interface software; gateway communications software, said gateway communications software comprising instructions for sending and receiving communications to said gateway software; said system operating such that said server computer communicates with said gateway computer and said gateway computer communicates with the one or more embedded devices, said server computer operating to send a user interface component to the client device, the client device thereafter using the user interface component to communicate with an embedded device by sending communications to said server computer, said server computer facilitating communications with the embedded device through said gateway computer.
 9. The system as defined in claim 8 wherein the server software comprises a web server.
 10. The system as defined in claim 9 wherein the user interface software comprises instructions written in HTML.
 11. The system as defined in claim 9 wherein the user interface software comprises instructions written in HDML.
 12. The system as defined in claim 9 wherein the user interface software comprises instructions written in WML.
 13. The system as defined in claim 9 wherein the user interface software comprises a Java applet.
 14. The system as defined in claim 9 wherein the serving software comprises a Java servlet.
 15. A system for facilitating communications with one or more embedded devices from a client application, said system comprising: a gateway server computer in electronic communication with the one or more embedded devices, said gateway-server computer running gateway software, said gateway software including: device communications software, said device communications software comprising instructions for sending send device messages to the one or more embedded devices and for receiving receive device messages from the one or more embedded devices; and gateway communications software, said gateway communications software comprising instructions for sending and receiving communications to other software; said gateway server computer running server software, said server software including: user interface software, said user interface software being usable by the client application to communicate with said server software; serving software, said serving software responding to requests received from the client application through the user interface software; gateway communications software, said gateway communications software comprising instructions for sending and receiving communications to other software, said system operating such that said server software communicates with said gateway software and said gateway software communicates with the one or more embedded devices, said server software operating to send a user interface component to the client application, the client application thereafter using the user interface component to communicate with an embedded device by sending communications to said server software, said server software facilitating communications with the embedded device through said gateway software.
 16. The system as defined in claim 15 wherein the server software comprises a web server.
 17. The system as defined in claim 16 wherein the user interface software comprises instructions written in a mark-up language.
 18. The system as defined in claim 16 wherein the user interface software comprises a Java applet.
 19. The system as defined in claim 18 wherein the serving software comprises a Java servlet. 